dan inhoye became the second longest serving senator in u.s. history, and at the time of his death he was third in the lane of succession behind the vice president and the speaker of the house. senator daniel inouye's office said he died of airportor complications. he was 88 years old. >>> second item you should know about in today's news, outside of the news from newtown, connecticut, is what seems like the inevitability now that the next united states secretary of state is going to be massachusetts democratic senator john kerry. nbc news has been able to confirm that senator kerry will be nominated for that job by president obama likely sometime this week. senator kerry is not expected to face significant opposition in the senate. if he does become secretary of state, that, of course, would mean a special election in massachusetts for his senate seat. that has to happen 145 to 160 days after the seat becomes vacant. one of the mamz rising to the top of the list is a potential john kerry replacement in the senate is vicky kenny. vicky kennedy,